CHAPTER 36
As concerned as Otho was with my ability to fit in in Malheim, by the time Leif left my room the next morning, it was basically accepted that I was back—with a few small changes.
Mainly the fact that my door was to remain unguarded, meaning they trusted me now.
Or at least, Leif did.
I didn’t want to investigate why they trusted me, and the implications behind that. Not when I had other things to worry about.
It probably wouldn’t last anyway, because I still needed to find out where they were holding my cousin, but at least this made my search easier.
And I wouldn’t have to ask Leif, or alert him to the reason I was really here.
Although we had eaten breakfast together, and I found myself still smiling shyly at his compliments, the burning fire he seemed to feel in his chest for me wasn’t reciprocated in my own. I brushed my gut feeling off, telling myself it was just because I was worried for my cousin, but deep down I knew the truth.
Which wouldn’t matter because I would be leaving in six days’ time anyway.
As soon as our plates were cleared, and Leif pressed a passionate kiss on my lips, closing the door behind him, I jumped into action.
Digging through the clothes I was provided, I found the shortest dress possible—one of the ones that required the leg-hugging pants usually used for riding—before braiding my hair. I had long ago lost my sense of time and how much time had passed since I had last dressed as Milo, but as I braided my hair and the tip of my braid nearly reached my waist, I knew it had been a long time.
While it was common on Heimland for both men and women to keep long hair, unless their duties made it difficult, only women had hair that dipped below the waist. Why, I had no idea, but it was an old tradition that had long stuck.
Once I was dressed, I peered around the corner of the doorframe to find the courtyard bustling with morning activity. There were several individuals rushing from one side to the other, some carrying items while others appeared to be on their way to pick something up.
But there was no Leif, and no Hansen, so I made my move.
I exited the door, ensuring my back was straight and a light smile rested on my lips. If anyone asked, I was simply exploring. Nothing more.
I walked around the exterior of the courtyard, peering in any open doorways and making a mental note of those that were closed. Assumably, Collum would be used for her reading powers, meaning it might be as simple as just waiting for her to be summoned.
That thought reminded me with a pinch in my chest that I too, could be summoned at any time. Though Leif hadn’t mentioned me reading anything further when he had left that morning.
“Enjoying your walk?” I turned toward the voice. It was ayoung woman, about my same age. She sat in the shadow of the courtyard, a water-filled bucket at her feet, which she stirred with a wooden pole.
“Yes, very much so.” The lie slipped easily from my lips.
She continued stirring. “I haven’t seen you around much before.”
I took a hurried inventory of the courtyard, trying to deduce who might be listening, but it appeared most were too busy so I decided I would answer honestly. “I just got back last night. Before . . . I wasn’t allowed to leave my room.”
Her lips gathered in a knowing way as she took in my state of dress. “I know how that is.”
“You do?” I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but any information I could glean would be more than I had before.
“I’m a second child.”
My head tilted to the side of its own accord as my brows furrowed. “You have the one-child policy in Malheim?”
She let out a low chuckle, “I don’t know where you are from but the one-child rule applies to all of Heimland. Any additional children must be submitted for labor on their twelfth birthday.”
Now I really was wondering. “I thought the one-child law was something Viscount Adis dreamed up.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s been around since before both you and I were born. My parents said it was around before they were born as well.”
I frowned. With all the time Leif and I had spent together, I was disappointed that we had never discussed this. “Who . . .” My mind flickered back to what she had just revealed. “Who made the law then?”
A sad smile graced her lips and I squinted, trying to see her eyes better, but she was seated deep in the shadows. “I’m not sure myself, but I know it goes far above the powers of Viscount Adis and Viscount Hansen. I think it may have originally come from the king.”
